The Ugly History of Linear Regression

Least Squares

Published in 1805 by Legendre

and Gauss in 1809

Used to determine, from astronomical observations, the orbits of bodies about the Sun.

“regression”

  • Coined by Francis Galton in the 19th century

  • Described a biological phenomenon

    • Heights of children of tall parents tend to be tall, but shorter than their parents

A “polymath”

  • In Statistics, Galton (1822–1911) is a towering figure.

  • He invented standard deviation, correlation, linear regression, ANOVA

  • Galton’s developments and discoveries were fueled in large part by his fascination with the science of heredity.

The Invention of Eugenics

  • The science of heredity could help humanity better itself through breeding.

  • Based on Greek eugenes, meaning “well-born”

  • Galton served as founding president of the British Eugenics Society

“What nature does blindly, slowly and ruthlessly, man may do providently, quickly, and kindly. As it lies within his power, so it becomes his duty to work in that direction.”

Eugenics and the US

  • In 1896 Connecticut made it illegal for people with epilepsy or who were “feeble-minded” to marry.

  • John Kellogg established a “pedigree registry”

  • From 1909 to 1979 California sterilized nearly 20,000 residents of the state mental institutions

  • In 1927 the US Supreme Court ruled that sterilization of the handicapped did not violate the Constitution — “…three generations of imbeciles are enough.”

  • Between 1970 and 1976 between 25 and 50% of Native Americans were sterilized, many without consent

And then it spread…

  • Mein Kampf references American eugenics

  • Declared non-Aryan races inferior

  • Believed Germans should do everything possible to make sure their gene pool stayed “pure”

Would you exist?

Is your skin white?

Are you blonde?

Do you have blue eyes?

Were your ancestors poor?

Are you Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Tao, or Jewish?

Are you LGBTQIQ+?

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